The commission charged with the task of recommending parking solutions for downtown Burlingame came to the conclusion that all potential parking structure sites are problematic and wants to wait until the city has identified the $10 million to $20 million needed before making specific suggestions.

The Burlingame Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission presented its recommendations on the potential of building a parking structure downtown to mitigate concerns over lack of parking at the third, and final, meeting on the topic this week.

First, the commission has asked staff to report back to the commission regarding measures — including improved wayfinding — that could be undertaken to improve the parking situation in downtown, the date by which those measures can be implemented and any other impediments to implementing those recommendations.

Potential sites all have some drawbacks, the commission found. For the space at the northern part of downtown currently home to structure A and potentially Lots A1 and/or C, and/or the current Donnelley Avenue. If these sites were chosen, the city should consider improving vehicle access from California Drive along Lorton Avenue, from El Camino Real, along Chapin Avenue, and Primrose Road, and from Howard Avenue, along Primrose Road. A more centrally located structure, at Lots J and W, would be easily accessible, but could cause extra congestion and result in a less pedestrian-friendly downtown. The option of putting a lot in the southern portion of downtown, where Lots G, F and N are located, is further from Burlingame Avenue, according to a commission report.

Since funding for a parking structure is not currently available, it would be premature for the commission to make a recommendation whether, or where, the city should build a structure. Additionally studies regarding the need for a parking structure may eventually become necessary, but it would be premature to commission such a study until the city has identified the $10 million-$20 million necessary to build such a structure, the report stated.